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710ACI Mena</a> 711 <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.acidigital.com/" target="_blank">ACI Digital</a> 712 <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://de.catholicnewsagency.com/" target="_blank">CNA Deutsche</a> 713 <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.ncregister.com/" target="_blank">NCRegister</a> 714 </div> 715 </div> 716 </div> 717 </div> 718 </div> 719</div> 720</header> 721 <div class="lightest-grey-bg pt-3 pb-5 full-ad"> 722 <div class="container"> 723 <div class="row"> 724 <div class="col-12"> 725 <p>Advertisement</p> 726 <div style="text-align: center;" id='div-gpt-ad-1481822258740-0'></div> 727 </div> 728 </div> 729 </div> 730</div> 731 732 <div class="all"> 733 734<div class="container"> 735 <div class="row"> 736 <div class="col mt-5 content m-auto"> 737 <h1 class="h1 post-title mt-0">Zambiaâs Catholic Bishops Call for Responsible Action, Dialogue and Peace Amid Growing Political Polarisation</h1> 738 <div class="post-share"> 739 <div class="shareaholic-canvas" data-app="share_buttons" data-app-id="33122399"></div> 740 </div> 741 <div class="post-image"> 742 <img src="https://www.aciafrica.org/images/zccb-image-1_1764057349_1787051090_1788371116_1790840449.webp" alt="" loading="lazy"> 743 <span class="image-caption">Members of the Zambia Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCCB). Credit: ZCCB</span> 744 745 </div> 746 </div> 747 </div> 748</div> 749<div class="container"> 750 <div class="row"> 751 <div class="col content m-auto"> 752 <div class="post-content"> 753 <div class="post-author d-flex justify-content-start align-items-center"> 754 <a href="/author/68/silas-isenjia"> 755 <img 756 alt="Silas Isenjia" 757 class="author-image m-0 mr-4" 758 height="48" 759 src="https://www.aciafrica.org/images/authors/untitled-design-73_1687505889.png?w=48&h=48" 760 width="48" 761 loading="lazy" 762 > 763 </a> 764 <div class="post-author"><p>By <a href="/author/68/silas-isenjia">Silas Isenjia</a></p></div> 765 </div> 766 <p class="post-info">Lusaka, 30 September, 2026 / 11:55 pm (ACI Africa).</p> 767 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The</span><a href="https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/org/conference-111"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (ZCCB) has raised concerns over growing political polarisation and the manipulation of ethnic identities and tribal sentiments for political purposes, among others, calling for responsible action to promote peace and justice.</span></p> 768 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122180213420968802&set=pcb.122180213750968802"><span style="font-weight: 400;">a pastoral statement</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> issued on Wednesday, September 30, following their extraordinary plenary meeting on Tuesday, September 29, the Catholic Bishops also expressed concern over what they described as the shrinking space for freedom of expression, particularly for the media and civil society.</span></p> 769 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">âTaken together, these developments call for urgent attention. They risk weakening trust between citizens and institutions and deepening divisions in our society,â the Bishops say in the statement they issued amid</span><a href="https://www.aciafrica.org/news/24419/zambian-catholic-archbishop-released-on-bail-after-night-in-jail"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">legal proceedings</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> involving Archbishop</span><a href="https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bbanda.html"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Alick Banda</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of the</span><a href="https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dlusa.html"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Catholic Archdiocese of Lusaka</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> 770 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Catholic Bishops in Zambia add, âWe therefore believe that the present moment requires not silence or resignation, but responsible action directed towards peace, justice, reconciliation and the common good.â</span></p> 771 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bishops explained that their position as far as the developments in the country are concerned is rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church, particularly its emphasis on human dignity, justice and the common good.</span></p> 772 </div> 773 </div> 774 </div> 775</div> 776 <div class="lightest-grey-bg pt-3 pb-5 full-ad"> 777 <div class="container"> 778 <div class="row"> 779 <div class="col-12"> 780 <p>Advertisement</p> 781 <div style="text-align: center;" id='div-gpt-ad-1441212700470-0'></div> 782 </div> 783 </div> 784 </div> 785</div> 786<div class="container"> 787 <div class="row mt-7 mb-4 mb-s-5"> 788 <div class="col content m-auto"> 789 <div class="post-content"> 790 791 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Citing the Second Vatican Council, they noted that âthe political community exists for the common good,â arguing that political authority must serve the dignity and welfare of citizens and operate within the framework of justice, truth and the rule of law.</span></p> 792 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They also reflected on the biblical warning in Isaiah against unjust laws and oppressive decrees, saying the passage serves as a reminder that âpower is never an end in itselfâ but a responsibility entrusted for the service of others.</span></p> 793 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bishops said peace should not be understood merely as the absence of conflict, but as the rejection of hatred, violence, revenge, tribalism and political intolerance.</span></p> 794 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They emphasised that no political interest, party loyalty or ethnic identity should justify violations of human dignity or social and ethnic tensions,</span></p> 795 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Catholic Bishops urged political leaders and actors to put the common good above partisan interests and be accompanied by justice, truth, reconciliation and respect for human dignity.</span></p> 796 <div class="box post-widget related-post"> 797 <h4 class="box-title"><span>More in Africa</span></h4> 798 <div class="cards-grid"> 799 <div class="card-cell horizontal"> 800 <div class="card"> 801 <div class="card-image"> 802 <a href="https://www.aciafrica.org/news/24421/zambias-catholic-bishops-call-for-responsible-action-dialogue-and-peace-amid-growing-political-polarisation"><img src="https://www.aciafrica.org/images/zccb-image-1_1764057349_1787051090_1788371116_1790840449.webp" alt="Zambia"></a> 803 </div> 804 <div class="card-content"> 805 <h3 class="card-title"><a href="https://www.aciafrica.org/news/24421/zambias-catholic-bishops-call-for-responsible-action-dialogue-and-peace-amid-growing-political-polarisation">Zambiaâs Catholic Bishops Call for Responsible Action, Dialogue and Peace Amid Growing Political Polarisation</a></h3> 806 <a href="https://www.aciafrica.org/news/24421/zambias-catholic-bishops-call-for-responsible-action-dialogue-and-peace-amid-growing-political-polarisation" class="read-more">Read the article</a> 807 </div> 808 </div> 809 </div> 810 </div> 811 </div> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">âOur Christian faith therefore calls us to reject hatred, violence, revenge, tribalism and political intolerance,â they said, urging instead âconversion of heart, forgiveness, dialogue, solidarity and the courage to seek the truth.â</span></p> 812 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ZCCB members called for renewed commitment to the dignity of every person, emphasising that no political interest, party loyalty or ethnic identity should justify violations of human dignity or the taking of innocent life.</span></p> 813 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They urged the protection of constitutionalism, the rule of law and the independence of institutions, saying public institutions should serve as instruments of justice and service rather than sources of fear.</span></p> 814 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On political engagement, the Bishops called for genuine dialogue to address political, social and ethnic tensions, while urging political leaders and actors to put the common good above partisan interests and reject inflammatory language, tribalism, violence and political intolerance.</span></p> 815 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They further appealed to citizens to resist provocation and the misuse of social media to âmisinform, disinform and insult others,â while exercising their rights and responsibilities for the protection of every person's right to due process and access to justice and urged an end to arbitrary arrests peacefully.</span></p> 816 </div> 817 </div> 818 <div class="sidebar_narrow"> 819 <div class="col-l-4 col-m-12 sidebar mt-m-6 mt-s-0"> 820 <div class="box" style="width: 200px"> 821 <h4 class="box-title"><span>Trending</span></h4> 822 <div class="trending-box"> 823 <div class="cards-grid"> 824 <div class="card-cell horizontal no-image" id="trending-box771" style="width: 100%"> 825 <div class="card 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980 981 </div> 982</div> 983 </div> 984 </div> 985</div> 986 <div class="lightest-grey-bg pt-3 pb-5 full-ad"> 987 <div class="container"> 988 <div class="row"> 989 <div class="col-12"> 990 <p>Advertisement</p> 991 <div style="text-align: center;" id='div-gpt-ad-1441212700470-1'></div> 992 </div> 993 </div> 994 </div> 995</div> 996<div class="container"> 997 <div class="row mt-7 mb-4 mb-s-5"> 998 <div class="col content m-auto"> 999 <div class="post-content"> 1000 1001 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bishops also called for the protection of freedom of expression and association, as well as the legitimate space for the media, civil society and citizens to participate in national affairs.</span></p> 1002 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They called for the protection of every person's right to due process and access to justice and urged an end to arbitrary arrests, intimidation and political violence.</span></p> 1003 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bishops said the country also needed a renewed culture of national solidarity, warning that political differences, ethnicity and other interests should not be allowed to undermine the bonds holding Zambians together.</span></p> 1004 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bishops called for a sustained process of national dialogue, reconciliation and healing involving people and institutions across political, ethnic, religious and social differences.</span></p> 1005 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They also urged measures to strengthen the independence, credibility and effectiveness of institutions responsible for safeguarding democracy, constitutionalism, justice and the rule of law and strengthen them where necessary to ensure citizens have confidence that their votes are protected and that electoral outcomes are managed transparently.</span></p> 1006 <p style="text-align: center;"><b>(Story continues below)</b></p> 1007 <div class="box post-widget subscribe-post box-shadow"> 1008
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1015 1016</div> 1017 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On elections, the Bishops called for electoral processes to be reviewed and strengthened where necessary to ensure citizens have confidence that their votes are protected and that electoral outcomes are managed transparently and credibly.</span></p> 1018 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They further called for civic and constitutional education, particularly among young people, as well as stronger peace-building and reconciliation initiatives at national, provincial, diocesan, community and grassroots levels.</span></p> 1019 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Church leaders also advocated greater protection for freedom of expression, freedom of association, responsible journalism and the legitimate work of civil society, alongside pastoral, humanitarian and legal support for people and families affected by violence, arbitrary detention, intimidation and other forms of injustice.</span></p> 1020 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They called for a culture of accountability and responsible leadership in which those entrusted with authority understand power as service and remain answerable to the people and the law.</span></p> 1021 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ZCCB members said their intervention was intended not to deepen fear but to offer hope to citizens anxious about the country's future.</span></p> 1022 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">âThe Church hears their concerns, shares their desire for peace and justice, and will continue to accompany them,â they said, reaffirming their commitment to prayer, listening, dialogue and follow-up action.</span></p> 1023 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They called on all people of goodwill to work together for a Zambia where human dignity is respected, justice is accessible, differences can be expressed peacefully and power is exercised as service.</span></p> 1024 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They urged Zambians to choose dialogue over confrontation, reconciliation over revenge, truth over falsehood, justice over impunity and solidarity over division.</span></p> 1025 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bishops encouraged Catholics in the country to use October, the month of rosary to pray for peace and justice.</span></p> 1026 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">âMore than ever before, we urge our clergy, religious and the lay faithful to gather in numbers in their chosen places for the Rosary and ensure that no day goes without reciting this powerful prayer for the peace we passionately desire for this nation,â they said.</span></p> 1027 1028 <div style="border-top: 1px solid #e7e5e9; font-size: .8em;"> 1029 <div class="row" style="flex-wrap: nowrap; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 30px;"> 1030 <div class="col-auto"> 1031 <a href="#"> 1032 <img style="border-radius: 50%; margin: 0; width: 75px;" src="https://www.aciafrica.org/images/authors/untitled-design-73_1687505889.png?w=96&h=96" alt="Silas Isenjia" loading="lazy" /> 1033 </a> 1034 </div> 1035 <div class="col-auto"><p>Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.</p></div> 1036 </div> 1037 </div> 1038 1039 1040 </div> 1041 1042 <div class="post-share mb-7 mb-s-6"> 1043 <div class="shareaholic-canvas" data-app="share_buttons" data-app-id="33122399"></div> 1044 </div> 1045 <div class="donation-box box-shadow" style="display: none"> 1046 <h4 class="box-title">Our mission is the truth. Join us!</h4> 1047 <p class="box-desc">Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.</p> 1048 1049 <div class="amounts"> 1050 <ul> 1051 <li><a href="#"><span>$5 <small>/month</small></span></a></li> 1052 <li class="active"><a href="#"><span>$10 <small>/month</small></span></a></li> 1053 <li><a href="#"><span>$15 <small>/month</small></span></a></li> 1054 <li><a href="#"><span>
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vendor: 1 bytes, line 1296
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1297<script type='text/javascript'> 1298 googletag.cmd.push(function () { 1299 var mappingTopBanner = googletag.sizeMapping(). 1300 addSize([992, 0], [[728, 90]]). //desktop 1301 addSize([768, 0], [[728, 90]]). //tablet 1302 addSize([320, 0], [[320, 50]]). //mobile 1303 addSize([0, 0], [[320, 50]]). //other 1304 build(); 1305 1306 var mappingArticleFooter = googletag.sizeMapping(). 1307 addSize([992, 0], [[468, 60]]). //desktop 1308 addSize([768, 0], [[468, 60]]). //tablet 1309 addSize([320, 0], [[300, 250]]). //mobile 1310 addSize([0, 0], [[300, 250]]). //other 1311 build(); 1312 1313 googletag.defineSlot('/1319756/aci_a_sidebar_a', [[300, 250], 'fluid'], 'div-gpt-ad-1422466279351-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); 1314 googletag.defineSlot('/1319756/aci_a_sidebar_b', [[300, 250], 'fluid'], 'div-gpt-ad-1422466279351-1').addService(googletag.pubads()); 1315 googletag.defineSlot('/1319756/aci_a_sidebar_c', [[300, 250], 'fluid'], 'div-gpt-ad-1422466279351-2').addService(googletag.pubads()); 1316 googletag.defineSlot('/1319756/aci_a_article_1', [[300, 250], 'fluid'], 'div-gpt-ad-1441212700470-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); 1317 googletag.defineSlot('/1319756/aci_a_article_2', [[300, 250], 'fluid'], 'div-gpt-ad-1441212700470-1').addService(googletag.pubads()); 1318 googletag.defineSlot('/1319756/aci_a_top_banner', [[320, 50], [728, 90]], 'div-gpt-ad-1481822258740-0').defineSizeMapping(mappingTopBanner).addService(googletag.pubads()); 1319 // googletag.defineSlot('/1319756/aci_a_article_footer ', [[300, 250], [468, 60]], 'div-gpt-ad-1507207562539-0').defineSizeMapping(mappingArticleFooter).addService(googletag.pubads()); 1320 googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); 1321 googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); 1322 googletag.enableServices(); 1323 }); 1324</script>
vendor: 1 bytes, line 1324
1324
1325<script> 1326 googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1422466279351-0'); }); 1327 googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1422466279351-1'); }); 1328 googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1422466279351-2'); }); 1329 googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1441212700470-0'); }); 1330 googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1441212700470-1'); }); 1331 googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1481822258740-0'); }); 1332</script>
1332 1333 1334<!-- Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools -->
1335<script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-5d547f1802de55fd"></script>
1335 1336 1337
1337<script type="text/javascript"> 1338 $(document).ready(function(){ 1339 if($('.post-slider').length){ 1340 var postGallery = new Swiper('.swiper-container', { 1341 spaceBetween: 2, 1342 navigation: { 1343 nextEl: '.swiper-button-next', 1344 prevEl: '.swiper-button-prev', 1345 }, 1346 pagination: { 1347 el: '.swiper-pagination', 1348 clickable: true, 1349 renderBullet: function (index, className) { 1350 return '<span class="' + className + '">' + (index + 1) + '</span>'; 1351 }, 1352 }, 1353 }); 1354 } 1355 $('li.' + 'africa ').addClass('active'); 1356 }); 1357</script>
1357 1358
1359<script type="module" src="https://static.cloudflareinsights.com/beacon.min.js/v31edd6df95cf4e85bb4c19e7a9bdbcba1788362987495" integrity="sha512-iIg7k2xntmwu6/uSb5tpc/hySgZc4eoL31yB29W6tJFo2akwjPWcEqnCEdJvGexCL0KEQwVYv5BlowfhVz26hg==" data-cf-beacon='{"version":"2024.11.0","token":"84bb4b34443844fa99235ea1ed4f7cae","spa":2}' crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
1359 1360</body> 1361</html>
Line numbers count LF bytes from the start of the resource, as the search results do. Vendor segments are library code the classifier recognised; they are stored but not indexed. Bytes are shown as Latin1 characters, one per byte.